Another DNS

Yep. I was supposed to run Rock N Roll STL half marathon today. But I didn't. I had been feeling somewhat better, and was trying so hard to believe I could. Last Saturday I did run 6 miles. I was never comfortable, and definitely didn't want to run a step farther. I had hoped though that getting though that with just (pretty significant) discomfort that another week of healing would have me ready to go by today. But Saturday after the run I was pretty miserable, and just not walking right. Not good. Sunday I felt a little better - as long as I didn't make any sudden movements anyway. But by the end of the day I hurt. Monday - Wednesday I felt a little better each day but I didn't run. Thursday was the test. I ran 2 miles. Overall it was still uncomfortable, and got worse after I stopped. I still felt like maybe I could run through it. But Thursday night I couldn't sleep. My "gut" was screaming at me. I wanted so badly to run - but deep down I knew it would be a bad, bad idea. By sometime in the middle of the night I knew - I would not be running the race. Friday morning I e-mailed my Team in Training coach and my contact at the office (campaign coordinator) telling them I could not run. They were very sympathetic and I know what I need to do to count my current fundraising to another event in the future since I physically could not do this one. At work my back began to hurt again besides my left leg being so messed up I was limping some. The tension in my body was awful - I know it was making me feel worse. I went to the expo to get another shirt for a race I couldn't run and tried my best to hold it together and not cry. I did not succeed. I also went to the Team in Training booth before I left. It was worth it, because I got hugs and sympathy. Mostly I held the tears in there, but I was at that teary point where they are there - just not falling. Saturday I did my best to take it easy - I still hurt and my back was extremely tight. I am very bad at sitting still however and was restless all day long. I did drive to the TNT inspiration pasta dinner (because I had to drop out so late I had a ticket and there was food for there for me.) It of course may me want to run all that much more - but I knew I couldn't. Still limping some - just as a reminder not to do anything stupid. Knowing I would not race did not make me sleep much better. I woke at 5:30 - the time I was supposed to meet the group and said a little prayer for them that everyone would have a good safe race before I rolled over to try and sleep for another hour before I had to get up for church. I got up still feeling hurt-y (and even tighter in my back). Went to early service at church (7:45 am) and was extremely uncomfortable. But here is where the funny part comes in - around 9:30 or so, which would have been around or just after when I would have been done with the race I started to feel a little better. The back, while still tight loosened a bit, and while I am still moving slow I don't so much look like I'm limping. (Unless I've just tripped over something - which I did while I was making dinner - that did not feel good) Now I've got to work on the healing. First up is a week with a visit to the chiro (assuming I can get an appointment) to revaluate and get my official note from the doctor for TNT. I also plan on taking it as easy as possible. I am not even going to think of running and I am not going to try to cross train either unless I feel totally normal doing my day to day stuff for a couple days. Once I get to the point where I have tried cross training (I am going to start with the stationary bike and possibly swimming) and that feels fine for a week I will add back in the elliptical. After another week or so I will consider trying a very, very short run on the treadmill (maybe, I haven’t decided I may just wait to try to run until after Thanksgiving). If it hurts at all I will stop and weep bitterly. I also have a regularly scheduled doctor appointment on the 8th of November. If I don’t feel much, much better at that point I will have to ask for a referral for a sports med doc to see what more is going on. So I have a pretty good plan in place. Hopefully I feel a lot better in a couple days of rest and am well on my way back by the end of November. What is scary is that I don’t know exactly what is going on with my left leg. It has been the roving pain to some degree – obviously caused by trying to run when my back didn’t want me to. I can do a deep squat (needed to scoop the cat litter pan) and stand up without pain but sudden movements still hurt. And that limp thing. I’m kind of scared out of my mind. Now I’m going to cuddle up with my new heating pad, and try to convince Izzie to cuddle - but you can't make a cat cuddle if she doesn't want to. While I'm writing a bloop seems the perfect time to her. Reaching around her to type really helps the back. Not. Now it is time to sit and the watch the World Series. Which is of course not at all relaxing. (Go Cards!)

Since I have no happy running pics you'll have to settle for a happy cat pic. (Izzie says rub my belly... if you dare.)

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Resting is the plan. I did go to the chiro today and they got me moving more normally anyway, although it hurt plenty at the time and I'm sore now I'm still able to walk without limping (if I pay attention). We'll see how I feel in the morning. (and I got the note I needed)

Sometimes it gets to a point where you just need to rest and heal without a timetable. When you feel the time is right you can do a test run, and if it's OK you can proceed from there. I've been there myself with some really stubborn injuries, but if you give them enough time it can sometimes work wonders.

Bummer! I've been in this type of situation plenty of times and I know how crappy you feel not being able to run. Those mystery injuries are such a nightmare. Hang in there and keep your chin up! This won't last forever.

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